Meseret (Mesi) Haileyesus

Meseret ( Mesi) Haileyesus is a multi-award-winning thought leader, ambassador, social entrepreneur, and change-maker with a distinguished record in championing economic justice and health equity. She stands at the forefront of change in policy and philanthropy, leveraging her passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to positively impact society.

Meseret's journey as a change-maker began with her work as a midwife and reproductive health rights policy advocate in Ethiopia. Early in her career, she joined various international non-for-profit including UN, Jephogo, and an Affiliate of John Hopkins University, where she played a pivotal role in shaping policies aimed at addressing social inequalities. Her innovative approach to policy formulation and ability to navigate complex legislative landscapes garnered recognition, establishing her as a rising star in the field.

For the past 22 years, she has dedicated her life to advancing progressive policies on access to reproductive health, women's and children's health, global health research, financial empowerment, racial justice, and women's economic rights.

As the visionary founder of the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE), the only organization in Canada addressing Economic Abuse. She has been unflagging in her efforts to address economic disparities and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder women's economic advancement. Through pioneering policy advocacy, groundbreaking research, innovative digital education initiatives, and programs preventing Economic Abuse, Meseret is at the forefront of this critical work.

Her primary mission is to shape public policy and legislative decisions that empower Canada to achieve economic independence through digital literacy, technology, research, and financial empowerment tools. Her commitment to societal improvement extends beyond CCFWE. Meseret is also the Founder of Maternity Today, an organization dedicated to sharing evidence, resources, and advocay tools with healthcare workers, and the Co-Founder of " TENAWO Health app," the first Multi-user digital healthcare mobile app in Ethiopia.

Meseret serves on the Board of Directors at Centertown Community Health Centre and the End FGM Canada Network. She is actively engaging as a subject matter expert with various World Health Organization taskforces, Service as a Policy Advisor of the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities and the Governance Committee for the City of Ottawa's Community Safety Wellbeing Plan, aimed at addressing poverty, systemic racism, gender-based violence, and mental health challenges face in Ottawa. Meseret is also actively involved in the Black Youth Economic Equity project, which aims to facilitate the reintegration of youths into the workforce in Ottawa.

Meseret's pioneering work on Economic Justice Project and commentary can be found in Forbes, Globe & Mail, the Toronto Star, Global News, CityNews, CTV news, The National Observer, iPolitics, the Hill Times, Toronto Sun, News forum, Canadian Center Policy Alternative, Ottawa Citizen, Healthy Debate, National Post, the CBC and more.

She has also appeared to speak for the House Commons, Status of Women Standing Committee, and Black Parliamentarian Caucus on studying Canadian Women Enterperunership, Intimate Partner Violence, and Federal budget 2023 consultation.

Her work was recognized by 100 prominent city mayors across Canada and at the House of Commons. Meseret continues to work with Women and encourages them to speak out so that their voices can make a difference in shaping policy and planning with governments.

Her efforts have been recognized through several community service awards, including.
2016 Women of Exellence
Named one of the 100 Most Accomplished Black Canadian Women in 2019
L’Oréal Paris Top 10 National Woman’s Worth Awardee - 2020
Top 100 Women to Watch in Canada 2020.
Forty under 40 award recipient in 2021 from Ottawa Business Journal
Top 3 recipient of the National RPA Award from Honorable Nina Tangri, Member of Parliament from Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade/ Economic Development in 2021
Recipient of Women of Inspiration 2021 (Social Impact and Authentic Leader Award)
Recipient of the 2023 Canadian Women Entrepreneur, Google Canada Award - Winner, Community - Women's Health & Wellbeing

Meseret envisions a future where collaborative efforts between policymakers, philanthropists, and technology innovators lead to sustainable, positive change. Her advocacy for inclusive policies and strategic philanthropy continues to inspire others to join the movement toward a more equitable and just society.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Meseret actively engages with local communities. Her commitment to mentorship programs underscores her belief in the transformative power of empowering the next generation of change-makers, nonprofit founders, and social enterprise founders.

She is a proud mother of one beautiful daughter who inspires and motivates her daily to continue her work toward a more just, fair, and inclusive society that protects and advances the well-being of women and girls.